video footage of what the North African campaign was like in World War 2 for the R.C.A.F. and the British R.A.F.
the patch my service person wore on his uniform, significant for a F/O
Essay - James Carlyle Kennedy Lest We Forget
World War II can be seen as one of the most horrific events in Canada’s history. Thousands of brave men and women dedicated and sacrificed their lives so that we as citizens of this great country could be safe and not live in fear for the rest of our lives. The Royal Canadian Air Force was one of the main contributors to our country’s success in the war as many brave and courageous men and women jeopardized and gave up their lives to ensure the safety and freedom of others. Today I have the privilege of acknowledging one of these great men, as it would be a dishonour to allow his story to be untold; may I introduce F/O James Carlyle Kennedy.
James Carlyle Kennedy was born November 28, 1922 in Winnipeg, MB. This was the same day,Captain Cyril Turner (RAF) demonstrated the first skywriting exhibition in New York City, spelling out "Hello USA,” in a Call Vanderbilt 7200 (http://www.datesinhistory.com/nov28.php). James Carlyle Kennedy was raised by his parents, James Alexander and Ethel Kennedy, in their Catholic Winnipeg home located on 176 Harvard Avenue. James lived his entire life in Winnipeg before being ‘called’ to serve his country at the mere age of 19. James attended St. Paul’s High School and graduated from Grade 11 in 1939. He was seen as an excellent student excelling in most subjects, except History and Foreign Languages. Ironically, both he and I seemed to struggle in the same courses (School Records). After receiving his high school diploma, he continued his education at the University of Manitoba where he strived to earn an Arts degree. It wasn’t until 1941, at the age 19 that this single bachelor joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Entering the R.C.A.F., James stood at a solid height of 5’10 ½ and weighed in at 150 lbs., sporting brown eyes and brown curly locks. Upon his recruitment into the R.C.A.F., James went through many tests and interviews to not only ensure his mental health but also to see the mental and physical traits that he brought to the table. In conclusion to these tests, James was seen as a confident, well-mannered and upright man, who dressed very neatly and was considered a very clear and quick speaker. On November 6, 1941, James Carlyle Kennedy, Service Number: J22693 was accepted into the Royal Canadian Air Force.
James was sent to the Ste. Hughes Military Training Camp in Carberry, Manitoba, just 40 kms east of Brandon for his initial training (http://www.townofcarberry.ca/.php?pageid=HISWAR). He was given the formal ranking of a Flying Officer (F/O), which later led to his role as a navigator. Upon completion of training, James was drafted into the No. 424 Squadron. The No. 424 (Tiger) Squadron was primarily a Search and Rescue Squadron that was based out of Tunisia. The Squadron’s badge has, to this day, the emblem of a tiger, which led to its’ nickname ‘Tiger’. The Hercules, the largest aircraft in the R.C.A.F., allowed the Squadron to fulfill its secondary role, that being the strategic transport of military equipment, resources and food to anywhere in the world. With the availability of the Hercules, the Squadron would complete four annual Long Range Trainers (deployments) to the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Africa. Airlifts for humanitarians and aid agencies were carried on these flights, often bringing aid and supplies to hospitals and orphanages, as well as participating in search and rescue operations (http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/8w-8e/sqns-escs/page-eng.asp?id=664). The Hercules was not limited to these four annual flights. Subsequently, with James’ position as navigator, he was never posted in one specific location as he was continuously away transporting war aids, war victims and other resources back and forth from Tunisia to England. During the war in Tunisia, the Axis and Alliance forces fought many battles, leaving thousands of combatants and citizens either injured or dead. As such, it was James’ and his Squadron’s role to assist the hospitals in the Tunisian towns with air support and aids for those who had been victimized in battle (http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/tunisia/tunisia.htm).
On July 10, 1943, James’ aircraft was taking off after an airlift rescue when something malfunctioned, causing the plane to crash and disintegrate upon impact. Death was immediate; another Canadian hero along with his crew including Joseph Bittner, Charles Tweedle, and many others had died sacrificing themselves for our country (http://www.canadaatwar.ca/memorial/world-war-ii/127550/pilot-officer-charles-milton-tweedle/). Records show that James was decapitated, literally having ever limb from his body ripped off. After his death, the remains of his body were flown to the Enfidaville War Cemetery in Maidenhead, Britain, for burial. During his time in the R.C.A.F., James received five Honours and Awards including the 39-45 Star, the Air Force Europe Star, the Italy Star, the General Service Medal, and the C.V.S.M. award and clasp (Military Records). James Carlyle Kennedy’s name was placed in the Book of Remembrance on page 176 where he will always be remembered as a hero of our country (http://www.veterans.gc.ca/images/collections/books/bww2/ww2176.jpg).
James Carlyle Kennedy will always be remembered as man who put others’ lives before his own in order to bring peace to his nation. When I compare myself to this great man, I see a role model who was setting an example of bravery and courage which we should follow each and every day. James Kennedy as a teenager was just like me; good in school, athletic, but where I differ is the courage to be able to face death at such a young age, which is something that James saw as a challenge and unfortunately, for himself, succeeded. For others, we applaud his success when we wake up every morning in our vast country, full of freedom and resources, and thank the likes of James Carlyle Kennedy. We should all look up to and honour a man like this as he exhibited the real qualities of an courageous individual willing to fight for what was right. Although he is lost, we will always remember F/O James Carlyle Kennedy. Work Cited
Canadian Wings. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. <http://www.canadianwings.com/Squadrons/squadronDetail.php?No.-424-Squadron-83>. This site shows the squadron that my service person was in and it talks about where he was posted.
Dates in History. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.datesinhistory.com/nov28.php>. This site shows what happened in history on the day my service person was born.
“General Information - 424 Squadron.” Royal Canadian Air Force. N.p., 31 Aug. 2010. Web. 9 May 2012. <http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/8w-8e/sqns-escs/page-eng.asp?id=664>. This site gave me information on the squadron that my service person was a member of.
The History of Canada’s Air Force. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.canadianwings.com/history/waryears.php>. This site gave me information about the Royal Canadian Air Force of World War II.
Merriam-Webster. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flying%20officer>. This site gives a definition of the rank of my service person.
“pg. 176.” Book of Remembrance. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2012. <http://www.veterans.gc.ca/images/collections/books/bww2/ww2176.jpg>. This site showed me the exact page of where I can locate my service person in the Book of Remembrance.
R.C.A.F. “James Carlyle Kennedy’s Military Records.” 6 Nov. 1941. File last modified on 10 July 1943. Military War Records. These documents gave me all of my service person’s military war records.
Royal Canadian Air Force. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. <http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/index-eng.asp>. This site gives basic info about the R.C.A.F. and talks about things fromuniforms to the types of medals.
This Day in History. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-land-on-sicily>. This site told me what happened in the world the day my service person died.
Town of Carberry. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.townofcarberry.ca/index.php?pageid=HISWAR>. This site shows where my service person did his training for the R.C.A.F. before being deployed to war in Europe and Africa.
Flying Officer of the No. 424 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Service Personnel Information
Military Service Record
Grave Reference
View Larger Map
Additional Information/links
Essay - James Carlyle Kennedy
Lest We Forget
World War II can be seen as one of the most horrific events in Canada’s history. Thousands of brave men and women dedicated and sacrificed their lives so that we as citizens of this great country could be safe and not live in fear for the rest of our lives. The Royal Canadian Air Force was one of the main contributors to our country’s success in the war as many brave and courageous men and women jeopardized and gave up their lives to ensure the safety and freedom of others. Today I have the privilege of acknowledging one of these great men, as it would be a dishonour to allow his story to be untold; may I introduce F/O James Carlyle Kennedy.
James Carlyle Kennedy was born November 28, 1922 in Winnipeg, MB. This was the same day,Captain Cyril Turner (RAF) demonstrated the first skywriting exhibition in New York City, spelling out "Hello USA,” in a Call Vanderbilt 7200
(http://www.datesinhistory.com/nov28.php). James Carlyle Kennedy was raised by his parents, James Alexander and Ethel Kennedy, in their Catholic Winnipeg home located on 176 Harvard Avenue. James lived his entire life in Winnipeg before being ‘called’ to serve his country at the mere age of 19. James attended St. Paul’s High School and graduated from Grade 11 in 1939. He was seen as an excellent student excelling in most subjects, except History and Foreign Languages. Ironically, both he and I seemed to struggle in the same courses (School Records). After receiving his high school diploma, he continued his education at the University of Manitoba where he strived to earn an Arts degree. It wasn’t until 1941, at the age 19 that this single bachelor joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. Entering the R.C.A.F., James stood at a solid height of 5’10 ½ and weighed in at 150 lbs., sporting brown eyes and brown curly locks. Upon his recruitment into the R.C.A.F., James went through many tests and interviews to not only ensure his mental health but also to see the mental and physical traits that he brought to the table. In conclusion to these tests, James was seen as a confident, well-mannered and upright man, who dressed very neatly and was considered a very clear and quick speaker. On November 6, 1941, James Carlyle Kennedy, Service Number: J22693 was accepted into the Royal Canadian Air Force.
James was sent to the Ste. Hughes Military Training Camp in Carberry, Manitoba, just 40 kms east of Brandon for his initial training (http://www.townofcarberry.ca/.php?pageid=HISWAR). He was given the formal ranking of a Flying Officer (F/O), which later led to his role as a navigator. Upon completion of training, James was drafted into the No. 424 Squadron. The No. 424 (Tiger) Squadron was primarily a Search and Rescue Squadron that was based out of Tunisia. The Squadron’s badge has, to this day, the emblem of a tiger, which led to its’ nickname ‘Tiger’. The Hercules, the largest aircraft in the R.C.A.F., allowed the Squadron to fulfill its secondary role, that being the strategic transport of military equipment, resources and food to anywhere in the world. With the availability of the Hercules, the Squadron would complete four annual Long Range Trainers (deployments) to the Caribbean, South America, Europe and Africa. Airlifts for humanitarians and aid agencies were carried on these flights, often bringing aid and supplies to hospitals and orphanages, as well as participating in search and rescue operations (http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/8w-8e/sqns-escs/page-eng.asp?id=664). The Hercules was not limited to these four annual flights. Subsequently, with James’ position as navigator, he was never posted in one specific location as he was continuously away transporting war aids, war victims and other resources back and forth from Tunisia to England. During the war in Tunisia, the Axis and Alliance forces fought many battles, leaving thousands of combatants and citizens either injured or dead. As such, it was James’ and his Squadron’s role to assist the hospitals in the Tunisian towns with air support and aids for those who had been victimized in battle (http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/tunisia/tunisia.htm).
On July 10, 1943, James’ aircraft was taking off after an airlift rescue when something malfunctioned, causing the plane to crash and disintegrate upon impact. Death was immediate; another Canadian hero along with his crew including Joseph Bittner, Charles Tweedle, and many others had died sacrificing themselves for our country (http://www.canadaatwar.ca/memorial/world-war-ii/127550/pilot-officer-charles-milton-tweedle/). Records show that James was decapitated, literally having ever limb from his body ripped off. After his death, the remains of his body were flown to the Enfidaville War Cemetery in Maidenhead, Britain, for burial. During his time in the R.C.A.F., James received five Honours and Awards including the 39-45 Star, the Air Force Europe Star, the Italy Star, the General Service Medal, and the C.V.S.M. award and clasp (Military Records). James Carlyle Kennedy’s name was placed in the Book of Remembrance on page 176 where he will always be remembered as a hero of our country (http://www.veterans.gc.ca/images/collections/books/bww2/ww2176.jpg).
James Carlyle Kennedy will always be remembered as man who put others’ lives before his own in order to bring peace to his nation. When I compare myself to this great man, I see a role model who was setting an example of bravery and courage which we should follow each and every day. James Kennedy as a teenager was just like me; good in school, athletic, but where I differ is the courage to be able to face death at such a young age, which is something that James saw as a challenge and unfortunately, for himself, succeeded. For others, we applaud his success when we wake up every morning in our vast country, full of freedom and resources, and thank the likes of James Carlyle Kennedy. We should all look up to and honour a man like this as he exhibited the real qualities of an courageous individual willing to fight for what was right. Although he is lost, we will always remember F/O James Carlyle Kennedy.
Work Cited
Canadian Wings. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. <http://www.canadianwings.com/Squadrons/squadronDetail.php?No.-424-Squadron-83>. This site shows the squadron that my service person was in and it talks about where he was posted.
Dates in History. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.datesinhistory.com/nov28.php>. This site shows what happened in history on the day my service person was born.
“General Information - 424 Squadron.” Royal Canadian Air Force. N.p., 31 Aug. 2010. Web. 9 May 2012. <http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/8w-8e/sqns-escs/page-eng.asp?id=664>. This site gave me information on the squadron that my service person was a member of.
The History of Canada’s Air Force. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.canadianwings.com/history/waryears.php>. This site gave me information about the Royal Canadian Air Force of World War II.
Merriam-Webster. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. <http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flying%20officer>. This site gives a definition of the rank of my service person.
“pg. 176.” Book of Remembrance. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2012. <http://www.veterans.gc.ca/images/collections/books/bww2/ww2176.jpg>. This site showed me the exact page of where I can locate my service person in the Book of Remembrance.
R.C.A.F. “James Carlyle Kennedy’s Military Records.” 6 Nov. 1941. File last modified on 10 July 1943. Military War Records. These documents gave me all of my service person’s military war records.
Royal Canadian Air Force. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2012. <http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/index-eng.asp>. This site gives basic info about the R.C.A.F. and talks about things fromuniforms to the types of medals.
This Day in History. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/allies-land-on-sicily>. This site told me what happened in the world the day my service person died.
Town of Carberry. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2012. <http://www.townofcarberry.ca/index.php?pageid=HISWAR>. This site shows where my service person did his training for the R.C.A.F. before being deployed to war in Europe and Africa.